Seasonal show from Branar is ‘like a big Christmas hug’

Arts Week with Judy Murphy

“Like a big Christmas hug,” is how Marc Mac Lochlainn describes ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, the seasonal show from Branar Téater do Pháisti, which returns to the Hall Theatre from Thursday to Saturday, December 19-12.

Based on Clement Clarke Moore’s renowned poem of the same name, this bilingual show with music, song, dance and lots of humour, is set in the town of Baile Beag where residents, young and old, are preparing for their first Christmas since the arrival of electricity.

Branar first developed ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in 2013 following requests from theatre managers around the country who wanted a seasonal show. They felt Branar, who specialise in work for children and families, could create one with the perfect atmosphere.

“We started working on it in July, which was a bizarre time for working on a Christmas show,” recalls Marc, the company’s artistic director who directs ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. He explains the process of adapting the poem.

“There’s a beautiful warmth in the words of the poem and I wanted to find a way to keep that in our story.

“We had the idea of taking it and setting it in a town in rural Ireland as electricity is arriving.  That was the essence of the poem; those moments of anticipation about what’s coming, but it’s not about fear, it’s a joy – something to look forward to,” he continues.

Creating the town of Baile Beag meant that Branar could introduce “a large cast of characters, allowing the ensemble of talented actors to flex their muscles and show off these wonderful characters”, Marc says.

The show opens with a slightly amended version of the poems famous first line.  Branar inform the audience that ’Twas two weeks before Christmas – a change that allows for plenty of seasonal preparations.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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